March 23

Bonaire Lac Bay. NP EVO 5 7.8, iSonic 107, Drake Carbon DW 38. Wind: ENE, Started at 13 - 14 knots, ended session at 18 - 20.

The morning started off with frustration when building materials that were supposed to be delivered never arrived. At 2 PM I said "F* it", loaded up and went to the bay. It had been blowing 20 all morning but by the time I arrived the afternoon doldrums had kicked in with wind maybe 13. Plugged the 7.8 EVO into the iSonic 107. Hit the water about 3:40 PM and had a great time for a while messing around with NM runs. It became clear after a couple of runs that the afternoon wind bump was kicking in. Made the 'white knuckle' broad reach run through big chop back to the car - unfortunately wasn't a NM as the average speed was 2-3 knots faster than the full NM runs (per GPSResults). 

Talked to Taty about stance, confirmed the discussion on the web about raising the windward rail for faster speed. Even though the wind was now stronger than I would normally go out on with the 7.8 I decided to do a mini-HTFU per Roo and make a run or two across the bay. Started off great and was having a fast, but barely in control run. Made it almost through all the big swells when I relaxed too early and ended up slammed down on the sail. Not a biggie except in the larger swells I could NOT clear the luff sleeve of water to waterstart (might have been able to uphaul, didn't try). Anyway, finally decided to just drift downwind until I could touch bottom, clear the sail and get back to the car. 

Lots of 'learning practice' today :)